The male's bill turns a vivid sky-blue during the breeding season, a striking contrast to its dark chestnut plumage.
VIC: Vulnerable; WA: Rare; NT: Vulnerable
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Boodoo, Stiff-Tailed Duck, Spiny-Tailed Duck, Diving Duck, Spinetail, Blue-Bill, Little Musk Duck
At a glance
FamilyDucks, Geese, and Waterfowl
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatUsually observed on the water on deep wetlands.
Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from October to February.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Ramit Singal
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
63029approx records
8states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Male has intense chestnut and black plumage, bright blue bill. Female is dark grayish. Much longer and less chunky bill than Musk Duck.
Behavior
Floats very low in the water, and unlikely to be seen on land. Usually observed on the water on deep wetlands.
Gallery
Regional timing
Victoria
South Australia
New South Wales
Queensland
Tasmania
Western Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory